More than two dozen Christian and Jewish groups, representing millions of worshippers across America, are suing the Trump administration over a new policy that gives immigration agents broader authority to make arrests at houses of worship. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, claims that the policy is instilling fear among congregants and infringing on religious freedom.
“We cannot worship freely if some of us are living in fear,” said Most Rev. Sean Rowe, the Episcopal Church’s presiding bishop. “By joining this lawsuit, we’re seeking the ability to gather and fully practice our faith, to follow Jesus’ command to love our neighbors as ourselves.”
The lawsuit challenges the administration’s rollback of a long-standing policy that required agents to obtain special authorization before conducting operations at sensitive locations like churches, schools, and hospitals. Under the new policy, agents can act at their discretion without prior approval. Kelsi Corkran, lead counsel for the lawsuit and a lawyer with Georgetown University’s Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, explained, “Now it’s go anywhere, any time... they’ve made it very clear they’ll get every undocumented person.”
The plaintiffs in the case include several prominent religious organizations, such as the Episcopal Church, the Union for Reform Judaism, and the African Methodist Episcopal Church, along with groups like the Mennonite Church USA and the Unitarian Universalist Association. These organizations argue that the fear of immigration raids is already affecting their ministries.
Many host food banks, meal programs, and shelters that serve undocumented individuals who are now too afraid to seek help.
“There is deep-seated fear and distrust of our government,” said Rev. Carlos Malavé, president of the Latino Christian National Network. “People fear going to the store, they are avoiding going to church… The churches are increasingly doing online services because people fear for the well-being of their families and children.”
While critics argue that the policy merely enforces the law, the plaintiffs view it as a direct threat to their mission. “These buildings are different — almost like embassies,” said Boston College professor Cathleen Kaveny. “I think of churches as belonging to an eternal country.”
Link: NBC News
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